School's out for summer!

Finally!  The day we have been waiting for is finally here.  No more 8:30 bedtimes, which means no more rushed baths after dinner.  No more having to pack lunches, either--late at night or early the next morning.  No more 6:30am alarm clocks.  I am SO excited!

But first, this kid got 3 awards yesterday.  His classmates all voted and he was awarded Best Mathematician, Fastest Runner and Most Helpful.  We are proud of all of them, but the one that makes my heart shine is the Most Helpful award.  His teacher said that he's always the one offering to help her, whether it's by opening a cabinet for her or putting away things without having to ask him.  Good boy, Jackson!

 

He has done really well in school, and had no behavior problems the whole year.  He has become an avid reader and worked hard to improve his writing skills, too.  His math scores have always been awesome, but now his reading ones are, too.  He got accepted into the district's gifted and talented program as a result--only 11 out of 100 kids in first grade.  Go Jackson!  As a reward for all of this, I got him a few little summer kick-off gifts.  He was stoked to open these aviator sunglasses, swim suit and sandals.

For his last school-day breakfast, I made blueberry muffins, which we all enjoyed together...

 

then we ran out to do our "Hooray it's the last day of school!" pic.  Nothing says "party down" quite like a Hawaiian shirt:)

Memaw took Lila to gym, but Cami came to big brother's party with me.  She was so happy to see him and all of his friends.  When we walked in, they swarmed the stroller like the paparazzi!

The kids ate pizza...

and then were treated to delicious cookies made by Aunt Lyndsie!  I was too slow and J had already taken a bite out of his blue sunglasses!

Ms. Garner then gave every kid a plate with their name in the middle of it.  She told them to walk around and write only positive words about their friends on them.  Not surprisingly, Jackson's had a sports theme to it, but it also said he was a "fashionable boy" and "wears sunglasses."  Ha!

Apparently Maverick has been making an appearance in class these days. Oh my!

The kids played another game, got their sillies out, and said their goodbyes.

 

Ms. Garner ended the day with a story about a lady who tended all the flowers in her garden.  It was such a sweet story that told how "some were wildflowers and would flourish anywhere" while "some needed a little more TLC."  By the time the story was over, she was in tears.  She really does love these kids.  How blessed they all were to have her this past year.

Jackson is going to have many, many teachers over the next 11 years, but I'm positive that Ms. Garner will always remain one of his very favorites.  The good ones have a way of sticking with you.

 

Twenty minutes later, all of these crazy former 1st graders were in their bathing suits at The Barton twins pool party.  They had a ball.  Summer's finally here!!!